SAMH workers to strike over 3-year pay dispute

SAMH workers to strike over 3-year pay dispute

Unite members at Scotland’s leading mental health charity SAMH have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action over management’s long-standing refusal to pay-up a meagre cost of living adjustment.

Over 83% of ballot papers returned opted for strike action and Unite will notify SAMH Chief Executive Billy Watson of strike dates imminently.

Low-paid support workers have tried for nearly three years to receive the 0.65 per cent cost of living adjustment set in the 2010 Scottish Joint Council (SJC) salary scales to which their pay is linked - the same pay rates which have been frozen since 2011.

Unite Regional Industrial Officer Elaine Dougall said, “It’s a reflection of our members’ anger that they are prepared to take strike action over this 0.65%. This is not a workforce or sector known for dispute but they have been pushed too far.

SAMH and Billy Watson have had three years to resolve this issue in which time they have relocated to new and expensive properties, undertaken huge public advertising campaigns and turned-over some £20 million – but they wont pay-up for support workers on as little as £12,600 a year before tax.

It’s not too late for Billy Watson to do the right thing and settle this dispute but our members have had enough of being undermined and undercut and will be taking strike action imminently.”